Murang’a elected leaders together with former legislators have agreed to work jointly in campaigning for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in the county.
The leaders formed a county and constituency committees which will coordinate public participation and educate the locals about BBI.
0n Thursday, the leaders vowed to actively engage the local residents and educate them about the report which is said to be unpopular in the Mount Kenya region.
Speaking after being taken through the document by members of BBI secretariat, the leaders led by Governor Mwangi wa Iria said they have understood details contained in the report and they will embark to educate the locals.
Wa Iria said the county committee will comprise of all the seven MPs, the senator and the county woman representative, while submitting that the leaders who are unwilling to join the committee will not be forced to drum support for the BBI.
“All legislators are invited to join the committee but we don’t want individuals who will join us and start disrupting our agenda,” he said.
The governor observed that BBI advocates for increase of funding to counties, saying no leader can be against increase of resources to his administration.
“The report is clear that money to counties will be increased and we will support the report as it also advocates for inclusivity in the country,” he said in the meeting which was attended by 48 MCAs.
He agreed with the MCAs to pass the BBI bill once it lands in the local assembly, saying Murang’a will be the first county to endorse it.
“Our MCAs have agreed to pass the Bill once it lands in the assembly, and I assure you the county will be the front liner in passing BBI Bill,” he added.
Kigumo MP, Ruth Mwaniki asked leaders to stop politicizing the report but instead educate people on its contents, noting that the BBI is not about individuals but talks on matters affecting the common mwanachi.
“Let’s avoid politicizing the BBI. We want our people to know the truth about the document so they can make the right decision,” added the legislator.
Murang’a assembly leader of majority, Eric Kimani said as MCAs they will embark in public participation to educate residents, further underscoring that BBI will ensure wards representatives have a kitty which will support development at grassroots.
The meeting comes two days before President Uhuru Kenyatta meets with leaders from the Mount Kenya region at Sagana lodge.
The leaders agreed that the government has implemented numerous projects in the region, saying they will attend the Saturday meeting and get the message from the head of state.
by Bernard Munyao
